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Digital Phablet – Jimmy Kimmel Is Making a Comeback
ABC announced on Monday that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will return to the airwaves on Tuesday, ending the recent suspension that lasted nearly a week.
The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, explained in a statement, “Last Wednesday, we halted production of the show to prevent further escalation during a highly emotional period for our nation.”
They added, “We made this decision because some comments were deemed hurtful and inappropriate for the timing.” The statement further noted that, after extensive discussions with Kimmel, the network decided to resume the show on Tuesday.
Some ABC stations had opted not to air “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week, and Disney did not clarify whether all affiliates would broadcast the show on its return.
Last week, Kimmel was suspended indefinitely after a top Trump regulator and several conservatives accused him of disseminating false information regarding the political beliefs of the individual suspected of killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
This suspension quickly ignited a debate on free speech in the United States.
Following Brendan Carr’s comments on a podcastclaiming that Kimmel’s remarks were part of a deliberate attempt to deceive Americans, ABC swiftly withdrew the show. Carr indicated that regulatory agencies might pursue remedies to address the situation.
In a conversation with host Benny Johnson, Carr suggested, “We have options, and it’s the hard way or the easy way.”
Initially, Kimmel had planned to address the controversy in his Wednesday monologue, but Disney executives, including CEO Robert A. Iger and Head of Television Dana Walden, decided against airing it, believing it could worsen the situation.
Despite the network’s decision, the situation remains complex, with ongoing negotiations about the show’s future. Notably, some major networks that own numerous ABC affiliates have pledged not to air episodes of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following Kimmel’s comments.
When asked for a response, representatives from Nexstar and Sinclair, two leading broadcasters, did not immediately comment.
The controversy began when Kimmel in his monologue referred to certain political groups and individuals, prompting accusations of inaccuracies regarding the suspect Tyler Robinson’s political stance. Robinson is believed to have shot a police officer, and while prosecutors say he did not agree with Charlie Kirk’s hatred, they have not specified which views he opposes. Robinson’s mother mentioned that her son had recently shifted his political views to become more supportive of LGBTQ+ rights.
In the aftermath of ABC’s suspension, several Hollywood unions representing over 400,000 workers publicly criticized the network, emphasizing concerns over free speech rights.
Despite the setbacks, discussions continue behind closed doors among Disney executives, Kimmel’s legal team, and station owners about the show’s return and content.
As the situation develops, whether “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will resume regular episodes remains uncertain, with industry figures watching closely.
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